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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Neil Armstrong: 1930-2012

At the age of 82, NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong died Saturday. Armstrong's death is said to be from complications after recent heart surgery.
From an article marking his passing, his most famous quotes:
"Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed," Armstrong informed mission controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center, with the restrained aplomb that marked his life. Two and a half hours later with the words, "That's one small step for (a) man. One giant leap for mankind," he stepped upon the moon for the first time

The first man to walk on the surface of the moon, Armstrong used his final years as a strong advocate for the space program as NASA faced continuing financial cuts and uncertainty in future missions.

Released by the office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison:

"I was saddened to hear the news of the death of Neil Armstrong. The extraordinary courage and dedication it took to be one of the first to travel to the moon and set foot on its surface cannot be overstated.

"Though his achievement ranks him among the most important explorers in human history, he viewed his individual accomplishment in a larger context of public service and encouraged us to follow his example in our own way.

"He will always be remembered as one of the most iconic pioneers of the NASA community - dedicated to the team that helped him achieve glory for us all."

Sen. John Cornyn Saturday issued the following statement on the passing of Neil Armstrong:

"Today we have lost one of our nation's finest heroes and a timeless symbol of the American spirit.

"Forty-three years ago, his was the voice that came through loud and clear at Johnson Space Center's Mission Control to alert an anxious nation and the world of man's first steps on the surface of the moon. Neil Armstrong's immortalized words, 'that's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind,' ushered us into a new era where we believed anything was possible.

"I know all Texans join me today in paying tribute to this true American legend and offering our sincere condolences to Carol, the Armstrong family and the NASA community."